Having taken a 2-0 lead, The Imps were left fuming after two controversial refereeing decisions left the match all square. The first goal was given despite Imps' goalkeeper Alan Marriott dropping the ball under a hefty challenge from a Chester player.
This alone left Lincoln's players annoyed, but their grievance was exasperated just seconds before the full time whistle. Imps' defender Paul Morgan was adjudged to have fouled Chester's Ryan Lowe inside the penalty area, although Morgan and his team-mates claimed that it was a legitimate tackle. Worse followed, as Morgan then made contact with referee Russell Booth, who dismissed him as a result. The following day, Morgan was automatically suspended for three matches. Now, it has emerged that the Football League have asked Chester for a videotape of the match. They are believed to want to study the tape in relation to Lincoln's reaction to both decisions that led to the goals. Lincoln City manager Keith Alexander's actions may also be assessed, as he made his feelings known to the officials after the match.
An irate Alexander told his club's official website: "The referee cost us the game. A definite foul on Alan Marriott for the first goal and what a diabolical decision for the penalty. Paul Morgan won the ball quite clearly from where I was standing. I know I'm biased but he's won the ball quite comfortably.
You could tell he was going to give them something and we get them every week, don't we? Whether it's me or what I don't know. It's about time we had a good one."
Chester chairman Stephen Vaughan confirmed: "We were instructed to send a tape of the match by courier to the Football League, presumably there are certain incidents during the match they wish to view at their committee meeting, which I understand takes place in the next day or so."
thanks to Chester City Mad | 